15th Wisconsin, Descendants Reunion at Old World Wisconsin, Labor Day Weekend 1999

15th Wisconsin recruiting detachment
Old World Wisconsin Labor Day Weekend 1999.
Photo by Mark P. Anderson, Great Great Great Grandson of Erick Olsen of Co. G

"I cannot begin to tell you what the day at Old World Wisconsin meant to me as a descendant of a 15th WI veteran! Indescribable! I had tears in my eyes and in my heart on the way home, both for the awesome beauty of the countryside and the memory of my experience at the descendants' reunion."

--Carolyn J. Storlie, Great Granddaughter of Christian Knudson of Co. H

Old World Wisconsin is a large and beautiful outdoor living history museum operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Included in its extensive collection of historic buildings are 19th century Norwegian and Danish immigrant farmsteads, complete with period-dressed interpretative staff.

Old World hosts a popular Civil War living history event each Labor Day Weekend. In 1999 the event featured a reunion of relatives of 15th Wisconsin soldiers as part of its focus on the 15th, the famous "Scandinavian Regiment" made up of Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish immigrants.

Special thanks must go to Carol Smith, Paul Bock, and the interpretive staff of Old World Wisconsin for hosting this event, and for doing all the many things that made it go so well. For more information about Old World Wisconsin Historic Site, click HERE.

The historical context of the event was the recruiting efforts of a detachment of 15th soldiers who were sent back to Wisconsin from Tennessee in November, 1863. Their assignment was to find new volunteers to help replace the 15th soldiers who had become casualties at the bloody battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, some 2 months earlier.

In their role as recruiters, the reenactors invited the descendants and the public to rally to the 15th's torn and tattered colors and 'volunteer' for service in the regiment by filling out the same enlistment form that the original soldiers had signed. This portion of the weekend's 15th activities proved very popular.

Those who volunteered were given the opportunity to learn some basic Civil War military customs and drill, just as the original soldiers had learned at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, after they had enlisted.

The reenactors also conducted daily military drill and musket firing demonstrations as well as a Sunday parade and inspection. All of these were done using commands given in Norwegian, which the reenactors had learned in order to accurately portray the 15th's soldiers (90% of whom had been born in Norway).

In addition the reenactors setup a military camp where descendants and the public could talk to them and learn first-hand about the food, clothing, weapons, tents, and equipment the original 15th's soldiers had used. Several descendants were able to meet the reenactor who was portraying their actual ancestor.

Many thanks must go to Jeff Diehl of the 3rd Wisconsin, who organized the 15th Wisconsin reenacting activities this weekend. Thanks also go to the individual reenactors of the 3rd Wisconsin, the 33rd Wisconsin, and the other units present. They volunteered most of their holiday weekend to help make the 15th Wisconsin come alive again. For more about the 3rd Wisconsin, click HERE. For more about the 33rd Wisconsin, click HERE.

This is believed to have been the very first reunion of descendants of 15th Wisconsin soldiers ever held. The reunion was headquartered in Caldwell Hall at Old World. To see a list of the 21 descendants who are known to have attended the reunion, click HERE.

In the hall were displays of photos and original records about the 15th soldiers, as well as items of clothing and equipment that they would have possessed. Also present on Saturday was Dee Anna Grimsrud of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Archives and Vicky Kvist of the Vesterheim Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library. Both generously volunteered their time to help the descendants learn more about their relatives.

The reunion, which was organized by Scott Meeker of the 33rd Wisconsin, resulted in an unexpected reunion of its own. Tim Schenk, who had driven up from Illinois to attend, met his cousins Calvin Olson, Lynda Boll, and Susan Minkus of Wisconsin. All are Great Great Great Grandchildren of Christian Olson of Co. K. Neither Tim nor his Wisconsin cousins had known that the other existed, and a joyous mini-reunion resulted!

Memorial Services for the 15th's soldiers were held on both Saturday and Sunday in the old church at Old World. The services were 'standing room only' on both days.

The service was created and conducted by Michael Binder of the 33rd Wisconsin. In his sermon Michael spoke to the meaning of sacrifice, then and now, a very relevant theme in regard to the original 15th's soldiers.

As part of the service, the 15th descendants present were asked to rise, introduce themselves, and to name the soldier(s) they were related to. This provided a link to the original 15th soldiers that touched both the descendants and the public who were present.

Also present at the service on Sunday was Mr. Trygve Lonnebotn, the Honorary Norwegian Consul for Wisconsin, who was there to officially represent the government of Norway. This official recognition of the Norwegian 'roots' of the 15th's soldiers and their descendants was greatly appreciated by those attending.

Bea Jacobson of the Old World staff played the pump organ at the service on both days. Ed Pierce, also of the Old World staff, lent his splendid voice to sing several solos at Saturday's service.

On both days the closing song, The Vacant Chair, brought tears to the eyes of many. The lyrics of this very popular, sad and sentimental Civil War song can be read by clicking HERE.

Many who attended one of the memorial services cited it as the emotional highlight of the weekend's activities.

An event of this magnitude is the work of many hands. In addition the Old World staff, the Civil War reenactors, and the other volunteers already mentioned, special recognition is due to the 15th descendants who attended. Some shared photos, documents, and stories about their relatives. All of them helped the rest of us to connect with, and feel the continued presence of, the original 15th Wisconsin soldiers. Thank you all very, very much.

"The Flag was GREAT, the memorial service was moving. Great day and great people."

--Glenda Jo Maynard, Great Granddaughter of Peter Peterson (Teigen) of Co. B

Descendants' Reunion

15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
The Scandinavian Regiment

Descendants' Reunion

15th Wisconsin Volunteer InfantryThe Scandinavian Regiment

15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
The Scandinavian Regiment